Buddhist Dharma

Buddhist Dharma

In this course, Professor Alice Collett explores Buddhist Dharma. In the first lecture, we examine the concept of Dharma in the Buddhist tradition. In the second lecture, we investigate the idea of dependent arising. In the third lecture, we explore the three marks of human existence, before turning to the human personality in the fourth lecture. In the fifth and final lecture, we bring all of our knowledge together to consider the goals of Buddhism.

Buddhist Dharma

In this lecture, we explore the concept of Buddhist Dharma, focusing in particular on: (i) its dual meaning as both the truth discovered by the Buddha and the Buddha’s teachings, which encompass doctrine, ethics, and practices; (ii) the variations in how dharma is interpreted across Indian religions, such as duty and caste in Hinduism or righteousness in Sikhism, contrasting with its Buddhist emphasis on truth and teachings; (iii) the diversity within Buddhist traditions—Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana—with differences in teachings and practices but shared ultimate goals of awakening and Nirvana; (iv) key teachings of Theravada Buddhism, including the Four Noble Truths, the Threefold Way, and dependent arising, and how these teachings evolve yet remain recognisable within Mahayana; (v) the role of meditation in Buddhism, highlighting practices that promote calm and insight, alongside rituals like chanting and shrine-building, which adapt over time while aiming toward awakening.